Are hens and roosters protective of their young?
Yes, chickens, especially hens, can be very protective of their chicks. Sometimes, it doesn’t matter whose chicks they are…they will still protect them. I had one hen that was always trying to steal other hen’s chicks, regardless how many she had already. I had to give them a pen of their own until her chicks were old enough to look after themselves and everyone could go back into the coop with the rest of the chickens. What you can do is as soon as the chicks are hatched out, take them away and raise them yourself. Be sure to provide them with plenty of feed and water, and a place under a light for warmth. The disadvantages of this is you don’t get to see the hen raising her own chicks; and they don’t usually do as well as when left with the momma hen. If you want to keep them with momma, wear protective clothing such as long pants, long sleeves, and shoes each time you enter the coop. Carry an old jacket, blanket or towel with you when you need to check on any setting hens and gent
